London Court Arcade
How to value your stamps and coins
If you're looking to value your stamps, coins, or banknotes, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you determine their worth. While we provide professional in-house appraisals at our London Court Arcade premises in Perth, we regret that we do not offer valuations over the phone or via email.
To help collectors, investors, and estate holders assess their collections, we outline the key factors that influence value, including condition, rarity, and market demand. Whether you're using catalogues, online sources, or expert appraisal services, this guide will walk you through the best methods to estimate the true worth of your collectables.
To help collectors, investors, and estate holders assess their collections, we outline the key factors that influence value, including condition, rarity, and market demand. Whether you're using catalogues, online sources, or expert appraisal services, this guide will walk you through the best methods to estimate the true worth of your collectables.
Method One
Catalogues
Catalogues
Australian Stamps
The 18th edition of the Renniks Stamps of Australia Catalogue provides the most up-to-date market value guide. Cross-check these values with the following considerations.
Condition
Very few stamps are truly scarce or rare, most of which date back to before the 1940s. The same applies to stamps from other countries. Typically, such stamps are only found in collections assembled by advanced collectors who have acquired them through dealers or auctions.
Decimal Era Stamps
We receive many inquiries about the saleability of stamps from the late 1970s to the 1990s, particularly in large quantities, including sheets. Unfortunately, due to excessive speculation during that era, most items from this timeframe have a resale value lower than their original cost because of the large quantities purchased. This includes the Annual Year Collection albums.
Our advice if your collection predominately beholds mint issues from this era is:
By the turn of the millennium in 2000, the speculative market for modern issues had finally come to a halt - reality and common sense had come to bear. From that point, quantities purchased by the market were more in line with prevailing collector demand, which has helped to elevate potential resale values.
Furthermore, the 2008/9 Global Financial Crisis marked another turning point, as many had to reassess, even curtail discretionary spending, including stamp dealers.
It’s now clear that stamps from the last 15 years are notably scarcer than most from the previous 50 years or more. However, current market values, including those in the Stamps of Australia catalogue, don’t necessarily reflect this.
If you're considering selling material from this later period and don't necessarily need the funds, it’s best to hold. If you must sell, ensure you at least get your money back, or better.
Condition
- Mint (Unused): Mint Never Hinged (MNH) stamps hold a higher value in the pre-decimal era. Mint stamps that have been hinged (MH) are worth significantly less, along with reduced resale potential.
- Used (Postmarked): Light, unobtrusive postmarks on used stamps are collectable. Heavy, unattractive cancellations greatly diminish the value and are often undesirable.
- Physical Damage – Creases, missing perforations, tears, or stains, etc, drastically lower the value often making the stamp unsaleable.
Very few stamps are truly scarce or rare, most of which date back to before the 1940s. The same applies to stamps from other countries. Typically, such stamps are only found in collections assembled by advanced collectors who have acquired them through dealers or auctions.
Decimal Era Stamps
We receive many inquiries about the saleability of stamps from the late 1970s to the 1990s, particularly in large quantities, including sheets. Unfortunately, due to excessive speculation during that era, most items from this timeframe have a resale value lower than their original cost because of the large quantities purchased. This includes the Annual Year Collection albums.
Our advice if your collection predominately beholds mint issues from this era is:
- Avoid traders and auctioneers who offer 30–50% of face value;
- If selling single mint stamps/sets, blocks, or the Annual Year albums, consider a private sale to a collector at face value. For sheet stock and large holdings, you might accept 60–80% from traders;
By the turn of the millennium in 2000, the speculative market for modern issues had finally come to a halt - reality and common sense had come to bear. From that point, quantities purchased by the market were more in line with prevailing collector demand, which has helped to elevate potential resale values.
Furthermore, the 2008/9 Global Financial Crisis marked another turning point, as many had to reassess, even curtail discretionary spending, including stamp dealers.
It’s now clear that stamps from the last 15 years are notably scarcer than most from the previous 50 years or more. However, current market values, including those in the Stamps of Australia catalogue, don’t necessarily reflect this.
If you're considering selling material from this later period and don't necessarily need the funds, it’s best to hold. If you must sell, ensure you at least get your money back, or better.
Australian Coins
The Renniks Coin and Banknote Catalogue is a comprehensive guide to market values. Consider the following as additional reference:
:
Pre-decimal
Pre-decimal Australian coins are collected and valued based on condition, classified as Uncirculated (UNC), Extremely Fine (EF), Very Fine (VF), Fine (F), and average condition. For the layman, accurately grading a coin’s condition is inherently challenging as experience is required. However, since most coins are relatively common, grading only becomes significant if the coin is scarce or rare by date, or if it’s a common issue from before the 1930s in near-new condition (EF to UNC).
What to Look for:
Key dates within the range of Pre-decimal coins include:
Decimals, 1966 onwards:
For decimal coins, only those in uncirculated (UNC) condition hold any premium value above their face value. Mintages for coins issued into general circulation typically range from over two million to tens of millions, so they carry only modest premiums. However, 'uncirculated' issues from 1966 to 1974 can command notable premiums.
We frequently receive calls from people with a jar full of 1c and 2c coins, which were withdrawn from circulation in 1991. Most of us weren’t using them at the time, so they were tucked away and kept. They are therefore still common. Only the 1968 1c and 2c coins were low-mintage issues and are worth a few dollars in circulated condition.
Error Coins:
We receive many inquiries about "error coins." Be cautious as many of those offered or discussed may well be simply misrepresentations or figments of imagination.
Of note;
:
Pre-decimal
Pre-decimal Australian coins are collected and valued based on condition, classified as Uncirculated (UNC), Extremely Fine (EF), Very Fine (VF), Fine (F), and average condition. For the layman, accurately grading a coin’s condition is inherently challenging as experience is required. However, since most coins are relatively common, grading only becomes significant if the coin is scarce or rare by date, or if it’s a common issue from before the 1930s in near-new condition (EF to UNC).
What to Look for:
Key dates within the range of Pre-decimal coins include:
- Halfpennies – 1915 and 1923. The 1939 ½d with a Kangaroo design is semi-scarce
- Pennies – 1925, 1930, 1946
- Threepences - 1915
- Sixpences – 1912, 1918, 1935
- Shillings – 1915, 1921, 1933
- Two Shillings/Florins – 1932, 1933, and the 1934/35 Victoria Centenary commemorative coin featuring a man riding a horse.
Decimals, 1966 onwards:
For decimal coins, only those in uncirculated (UNC) condition hold any premium value above their face value. Mintages for coins issued into general circulation typically range from over two million to tens of millions, so they carry only modest premiums. However, 'uncirculated' issues from 1966 to 1974 can command notable premiums.
We frequently receive calls from people with a jar full of 1c and 2c coins, which were withdrawn from circulation in 1991. Most of us weren’t using them at the time, so they were tucked away and kept. They are therefore still common. Only the 1968 1c and 2c coins were low-mintage issues and are worth a few dollars in circulated condition.
Error Coins:
We receive many inquiries about "error coins." Be cautious as many of those offered or discussed may well be simply misrepresentations or figments of imagination.
Of note;
- The 2000 $1 ‘Mule’ Coin Error - must have a distinct double rim on the head side.
- The 1988 & 1989 $2 ‘Double HH’ coin - is not an error. All $2 coins from these years (190 million in total) featured the ‘HH’ initials of designer Horst Hahne. From 1990 onward, the initials were removed.
- The 1966 20c ‘Wavy Baseline’ Variety - if considering this variant, research legitimate examples online to clearly see the distinguishing feature.
Australian Banknotes
Similar considerations apply to Australian banknotes as they do to coins. In the decimal era, both paper and modern polymer (plastic) notes must be in uncirculated condition to hold premium collector value.
The final editions of paper notes (mid-1980s to 1990s) remain reasonably common. However, notes from the late 1960s to mid 1970s do command notable premiums when in uncirculated (UNC) condition. These editions are distinguished by different combinations of the two signatures on one side.
Polymer Notes:
There is a growing number of collectors focused on acquiring 'first and last prefixes' of Australia’s modern polymer series. To hold any premium value, these notes must be in uncirculated condition too. Any kinks or visual blemishes almost always disqualify them from serious collector interest.
The final editions of paper notes (mid-1980s to 1990s) remain reasonably common. However, notes from the late 1960s to mid 1970s do command notable premiums when in uncirculated (UNC) condition. These editions are distinguished by different combinations of the two signatures on one side.
Polymer Notes:
There is a growing number of collectors focused on acquiring 'first and last prefixes' of Australia’s modern polymer series. To hold any premium value, these notes must be in uncirculated condition too. Any kinks or visual blemishes almost always disqualify them from serious collector interest.
International Stamps and Coins
One might check with a library for catalogues on international stamps and coins. In most cases—much like Australian stamps and coins—the majority of issues are relatively common, even those over a century old. What many people have is more of an accumulation: a loosely gathered assortment of items rather than a carefully curated, well-documented collection. A true collection is organized, catalogued, and built with intent, often spanning multiple volumes.
Method Two
Online Sources
Online Sources
Stamps, Coin and Banknotes
Unfortunately, over the past couple of years, we have been inundated with inquiries from individuals who, after searching eBay or Google listings, believe they have discovered that some of their stamps and coins are extremely rare and valuable. However, out of 100 inquiries we receive, we regrettably have to inform 95 of them that their items hold little to no value.
This is an ongoing issue - both a considerable nuisance and a persistent dilemma in the marketplace that many find difficult to understand or accept.
What to Try on eBay:
Professional Dealers' Websites:
These can be identified by well-presented platforms that offer a comprehensive range of material, reliable communication, services, and customer support.
Note: When considering listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, group forums, or blogs, we strongly recommend cross-checking values using the information provided.
This is an ongoing issue - both a considerable nuisance and a persistent dilemma in the marketplace that many find difficult to understand or accept.
What to Try on eBay:
- Search: Enter the item details in the Search bar at the top: Year / Denomination / Description / Condition (e.g., 1942 2½d Red King George VI Used).
- Filter: Locate "Sold items" in the ‘Filter options’ down the left side of the listings to see actual sales results to acquire a realistic market value assessment.
Professional Dealers' Websites:
These can be identified by well-presented platforms that offer a comprehensive range of material, reliable communication, services, and customer support.
Note: When considering listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, group forums, or blogs, we strongly recommend cross-checking values using the information provided.
Method Three
Visit Us
Visit Us
In-House Appraisals
We don’t offer phone or email valuations. All of our assessments are done in-house at our London Court Arcade premises.
Appraisals are available 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm on weekdays, and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Saturdays.
As a retail business, we prioritise our regular customers over walk-in casual appraisals, and so we cannot schedule appointments - please allow for time accordingly.
Appraisals are available 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm on weekdays, and 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Saturdays.
As a retail business, we prioritise our regular customers over walk-in casual appraisals, and so we cannot schedule appointments - please allow for time accordingly.
